Lightning protection systems cost between $442 and $2,663 on average, but can increase depending on your location and materials used.
Lightning protection systems cost between $442 and $2,663 to install, with an average of about $1,552. Just one lightning bolt is hotter than the sun and carries a whopping 300 million volts of electricity. Thankfully, you can keep your home safe with a lightning rod, also called a grounding rod.
These simple devices "catch" the lightning bolt and redirect its energy to the earth, where it's absorbed. Read on to learn how factors like the rod type, materials, and labor affect your final cost.
If you need a lightning rod for your house, a good place to start is researching your options and the price of each. As with most home improvement projects, the main costs associated with lightning rod installation are materials and labor. It's also a good idea to have a buffer in your budget for unforeseen issues, like wildlife or small roof repairs.
There are two types of rods available. The traditional lightning rod, or Franklin rod, invented by Benjamin Franklin in the 1750s, is the simplest and least expensive. The early streamer emission (ESE) air terminals are more complex and, therefore, more costly.
| Lightning Rod Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Lightning rods or Franklin rods | $60–$175 |
| Aluminum rods | $50–$90 |
| Copper rods | $125–$150 |
| Early streamer emission air terminals | $2,000–$2,500 |
Franklin rods start at $60 each, including installation. At the high end, you could pay as much as $175 for materials and lightning rod installation costs. While they have mostly stayed the same since their invention in the 1750s, iron is no longer the material of choice. Today, the rods are either aluminum or copper.
Aluminum grounding rods cost between $50 and $90 each to install. They're considerably less costly than copper rods, which makes them appealing to those on a budget. Plus, they're more compatible than their copper counterparts in some situations. For example, they can be installed directly on aluminum and steel roofs.
However, they're less efficient and conductive than copper rods, so they need longer cabling. And there's the risk of corrosion over time, as aluminum will eventually rust with continued exposure to the elements.
Copper Franklin lightning rods cost $125 to $150 to install. They're more costly because of the price of copper and because these rods are heavier and more efficient. Because copper rods are better conductors than aluminum, the installation is easier and requires shorter cables.
However, even though it's stronger than aluminum, copper will eventually corrode.
Early streamer emission air terminals, or ESE air terminals, cost between $2,000 and $2,500, fully installed. These systems require professional installation. They're a popular choice because, unlike lightning rods, they cover your whole home. Unless your property is particularly large, you only need one ESE air terminal, whereas you have to have multiple lightning rods installed to cover even modest properties.
ESE air terminals are comparatively high-tech options that are more challenging to install than Franklin rods. These devices must be located at least 6 1/2 feet above the tallest nearby structure. You may have to have a mast mounted on your property to accomplish this. This system works by giving off ionized particles that attract and channel a lightning strike.
The materials for lightning rod installation make up about 30% to 50% of the project budget. So, on an average $1,500 installation, materials will cost around $500 to $750. For the more expensive ESE installations, materials may cost around $1,000.
Hiring a local electrician to install a lightning protection system costs about $35 to $50 per hour. Depending on the size and complexity of the job, you could pay as little as $100 in labor or more than $1,000 for hard-to-reach areas or time-consuming installation.
Installing one or two simple copper rods will cost around $100 to $200 in labor, as this job only takes a couple of hours. Installing a set of six copper rods to protect a modest home would likely set you back around $600 in labor alone. Installing an ESE system is the most costly because it's the most complex and time-consuming and will cost you between $400 and $800 in labor.
Having a buffer of between 10 and 20% of the project cost is smart. If you haven't had your roof inspected recently, there's no telling what your contractor will find once they get up there. You may need to pay for the cost of roof repairs, or you may need to hire a local animal control service if the pro discovers a pest or wildlife issue.
While lightning rods and ESE air terminals are the most common lightning protection systems for homes, there are a few more options you may want to consider. Below are three other ways to protect your home from lightning and related power surges.
| Alternative Lightning Protection Systems | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Whole-house surge protectors | $70–$700 |
| Outlet protectors | $10–$30 |
| Lightning arresters | $440–$2,300 |
Whole-house surge protection devices (SPD) are filter-like devices that connect to home electrical panels. They allow in safe electrical currents you need to power your home but block excessive currents and voltage spikes—including those caused by lightning strikes—high enough to damage your home’s electrical system and connected appliances and devices.
You’ll need to hire a licensed electrician to install these systems, as they’re wired into the main breaker panel, and it’s not a DIYable job. Expect the whole job—materials and labor—to cost between $70 and $700, with an average cost of $300.
Also called point-of-use surge protectors, outlet surge protectors plug directly into electrical outlets. They’re easy to install and use—all you have to do is plug them into an outlet and then plug the desired devices into the outlet protector.
Unlike whole-home surge protectors, they only protect the devices and appliances you plug into them. You can move them wherever you want them, so they can provide constant protection for laptops and other portable devices you want to guard from power surges.
Expect to spend between $10 and $30 on an average two-, three-, or six-outlet surge protector.
Various lightning arrester devices protect different types of electrical equipment and systems. They discharge high voltage by organizing air ions to counteract and disable surges, sending them into the ground rather than attached buildings and equipment. Most lightning arrester systems cost between $440 and $2,300, but industrial-sized units and those on public utilities can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Spiral-shaped coils are one common type of lightning arrester that protect power lines, transformers, electrical panels, and connected buildings from lightning strikes. They do this by preventing surges from traveling from electrical lines into homes and diverting them into the ground instead. You can also find lightning arresters protecting telecommunications and data networks. They’re also used by power companies and utilities to protect connected systems.
The cost to install a lightning rod varies slightly by location. Here’s a look at the prices in different U.S. states.
| State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $150–$400 |
| Colorado | $300–$1,550 |
| Kansas | $270–$4,550 |
| Illinois | $330–$2,540 |
| New York | $320–$1,650 |
| Massachusetts | $400–$770 |
| Texas | $800–$3,650 |
| Florida | $130–$350 |
While you can, theoretically, install simple lightning rods yourself, leaving it to a UL-certified (Underwriters Laboratories) professional is safer. Working at tall heights carries risk of injury, and you may not have all the gear you need to work on the roof safely. Plus, a pro has the knowledge and experience to accurately gauge how many rods your home needs and the best place to put them.
The available DIY kits range from $1,000 to $3,000 for a complete setup, including rods, mounts, conductors, cables, and grounding plates. You won't actually save much compared to having a pro handle the installation for you.
When it comes to installing an ESE air terminal system, only a licensed pro can complete the job.
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Lightning rods are best installed by Underwriters Laboratories-certified (UL-certified) professionals. This is not a DIY project, as it comes with major risks, like falling off the roof and incorrect installation, which could result in injury and make your house susceptible to damage. Certified professionals will use UL-listed materials and follow all safety protocols set by the Lightning Protection Institute.
A lightning protection system may decrease the risk of damage to your home from lightning. However, there are some downsides. If the lightning rod isn’t properly maintained, it can malfunction during a storm. It also requires regular cleaning and inspection to ensure it’s working to its full potential.
How much area a lightning rod covers depends on the type of rod. A 3,000-square-foot home would need between six and eight copper or aluminum rods but only one ESE air terminal system. Contact a UL professional certified in electrical work to better understand how many lightning rods you may need.
No, copper doesn't attract lightning, but it is extremely conductive. When lightning strikes, it makes contact with the highest nearby point. Hence, lightning rods are installed high up on your home. The lightning makes contact with the copper rod, which conducts it down through the cables, into the grounding plate, and into the earth, where it's harmlessly absorbed.
